New York's Finest

New City-wide Plan Will Install Security Bollards to Protect New Yorkers, Tourists and City's Infrastructure

January 2, 2018

Approximately 1,500 new permanent bollards integrated into the City's streetscape will address security threats, promote pedestrian flow, and maintain safe and open public spaces

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City's Security Infrastructure Working Group today announced plans to bring permanent perimeter barriers, or bollards, to high-profile sites and to create a process to streamline their design and construction. The Administration plans to double its $7.5 million commitment in the September Capital Plan for permanent bollards in Times Square, and will commit in excess of $50 million to commence the broader rollout of new protective measures in public spaces, including 1,500 new bollards as part of an initial installation phase.

"In 2017, New Yorkers witnessed the horrible capacity of people willing to do us harm, whether it was in our subways, on our bike paths or in Times Square," said Mayor de Blasio. "But we will not be cowed, and our expanded investment today in barriers and bollards in our public spaces underscores our resolve in keeping New York City safe from future attacks. In this new year, we can and will protect our iconic public spaces while New Yorkers go on living our lives, including by hosting a record number of tourists."

"Everything we do in the New York City Police Department is geared toward keeping people safe and that will always be our obligation," said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "No matter how low, we're able to push down crime and violence. And the people who live in, work in, and visit New York City deserve to not only be safe they deserve to feel safe too.

"We're a very busy city as you know — more than 8.5 million people plus the millions more who come in daily to work or to enjoy this great city. These additional safety bollards will allow us to better protect many of our landmark locations, and many of the areas most frequently used for recreation. It will also help us keep order as it relates to all the competing vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic that defines our great city."

"As our agency has dramatically expanded public spaces around New York City, we also work with the NYPD to make these spaces both welcoming and safe," said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. "Today we thank the Mayor for his leadership on investments to keep our city's treasured public spaces secure, while ensuring that the public can fully enjoy them."

In 2017, the City Council passed legislation requiring DOT and Parks to report on the number of bollards installed annually and the number of revocable permits granted annually to private businesses to install bollards.

"New York is a cultural and financial capital. Its vibrancy and diversity make it the envy of the world but, unfortunately, also a target for a few deranged individuals who would do us harm. The steps being announced today will improve security throughout the City for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Protecting our City requires cooperation at all levels of government and I'll continue working in Congress to ensure there are adequate federal resources for these types of protective measures," said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY).

"We have witnessed an increase in pedestrian injuries and fatalities as vehicles are increasingly being used as weapons to carry out attacks," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "Safety bollards saves lives and help in our efforts to strengthen safety measures along sidewalks, popular tourist destinations, and high pedestrian traffic areas. I commend Mayor de Blasio on today's announcement to install 1,500 permanent safety bollards throughout our city as preventative measures to guide traffic, protect individuals, and potentially save lives."

"Security bollards will help protect New Yorkers, visitors and keep our public spaces safe," said Assemblymember Dan Quart. "I applaud the city and other stakeholders for expanding their commitment to this safety measure."

"As the City evaluates appropriate locations for these additional bollards, Lower Manhattan remains a target and we look forward to this added security for residents and tourists alike. I appreciate the work of the Security Infrastructure Working Group and the Mayor for taking actions towards further protecting our City," said Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick.

"We are lucky to live in a culturally rich city of over 8.6 million people that tens of millions of tourists from all over the world choose to visit every year, but with that comes great responsibility to keep them all safe. We have seen instances in which bollards have effectively achieved this, and prevented greater tragedies and loss of life. The expansive use of bollards is a proactive step in protecting New Yorkers and tourists on our streets and sidewalks," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Council Committee on Transportation.

"This investment is critical to providing the security New Yorkers and our visitors can all benefit from on a day-to-day basis. Our security continues to be a top priority. This is a positive step to keep New Yorkers safe," said Council Member Keith Powers.

In the wake of attacks around New York City in 2017, protective concrete barriers were installed at high profile locations in Manhattan. These temporary structures will be replaced this month by more attractive temporary blocks in advance of the rollout of the permanent metal bollard installation beginning this March. The installation of these permanent structures will be completed over the next few years. As they are replaced with permanent security structures the new, more aesthetically pleasing blocks, will be relocated to other locations identified as high profile.

In identifying locations, the City conducted a thorough review of locations, including business corridors, tourist attractions and iconic sites, resulting in the prioritization of key locations in the City to be addressed with permanent fixtures under this plan. The City previously installed permanent metal bollards near the Times Square pedestrian plazas as part of a $50 million capital project completed in late 2016, and similar bollards will be added to additional areas in Times Square as part of this project.

The Security Infrastructure Working Group, currently comprised of the Mayor's Office, New York Police Department, Department of Transportation, the Department of Design and Construction, Public Design Commission, Department of City Planning, Department of Environmental Protection, Fire Department of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Management and Budget will streamline the bollard design and construction by coordinating with the agencies responsible for reviewing and approving bollard installations to conduct their reviews as concurrently as possible. The installation process for these structures includes procurement protocols and engineering reviews normally associated with capital work.

For years the City, through DOT and NYPD, has worked closely with private landowners and institutions on security measures through the revocable consent process, allowing bollards or other security structures to be installed on sidewalks. NYC DOT has approved dozens of locations for such structures, which are paid for by the property owners.

The City looks forward to continue its partnership with the State, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Port Authority and other entities to bring and facilitate protections on properties within the five boroughs, such as alongside the West Side Greenway.